Baseball base anchoring device



Nov. 30, 1954 L, A, ORSATTl ET Al. 2,695,784

BASEBALL BASE ANCHORING DEVICE Filed Aug. 16, 1952 v "Svy ffy. 3 J2 INVEN TOR5 42 L'oul ORSATT/ BY A En@ Bomann JMfW United States PatentBASEBALL BASE ANCHORING DEVICE Louis A. Orsatti and Ralph Borrelli, LosAngeles, Calif., assignors of one-third to Louis B. Lunetta, LosAngeles, Calif.

Our invention relates generally to equipment for the game of baseball,and more particularly to improved anchoring means for securing abaseball base in position.

The conventional way to position baseball bases is to drive stakes intothe ground and fasten the base to the stakes by the use of straps. Sincethe bases are cloth `covered it is not desirable to let them remain inthe open and the usual practice is to remove the bases between games.Furthermore, a playing iield is often used for several kinds of baseballgames as for example, softball and hardball, which have differentregulation distances between the bases. Using the conventional groundstakes such shifting of the bases is a time-consuming operation andoften the bases are not properly secured as a result of repeated stakemovements.

It is also apparent from the character of the game of baseball that thebases should be rigidly held in place and not subject to sliding andshifting during play. The `base should therefore be locked to theanchoring means in a positive manner which will at the same time permitrapid and convenient detachment. While various devices have beenproposed to serve these purposes, none of them have ever been givenwidespread use. Some of them have been inadequate to withstand the roughusage, while others have been too complex and unwieldy to be practical.

With the foregoing in mind, it is therefore a major object of ourinvention to provide improved anchoring means for securing a baseballbase in position.

Another object of our invention is to provide an anchor- `ing devicewhich positively locks the base in position and prevents either lateralor upward movement.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a device of thecharacter described having quick release coupling means for holding thebase to ground anchoring means.

An additional object of our invention is to provide an anchoring devicehaving adjustable latching means operable through an external hand pull.

It is a further object of our invention to provide an anchoring devicehaving latching means of simple and durable construction includingspring return means protected against accidental distortion.

Still another object of our invention is to provide an anchoring deviceof two-part construction having an upper arched frame or plate fastenedsecurely to the base and serving. to shape or crown the latter.

It is a still further object of our invention to provide an anchoringdevice of the character described which may be economically formed oflightweight castings or the like,` and sold at a nominal price.

These and other objects and advantages of our invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of a preferred formthereof and from an inspection of the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of the base in position;

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross section taken in the direction of the arrows2 2 of Fg. l;

Fg. 3 is an enlarged sectional detail of the frame socket and latchingmeans;

Fig. 4 is an inverted perspective view showing the supporting framesecured to the bottom of the base; and

Fig. 5 is an edge elevation of the frame socket and latch means taken inthe direction of the arrow 5 in Fig. 3.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, thenumeral 10 designates a baseball base of conventional rectangular shape.Base is formed as a relatively thick pad or cushion having an outercloth covering 11. On the sides of base are elongated straps 12 whichare adapted to extend beneath the base and fasten to base anchoringmeans As can be `understood, base 1t) in all respects corresponds toregulation shape and size, and may be internally constructed in anydesired manner.

In order to anchor base 10 to the ground We provide a metal post orstake 14 which is permanently embedded in the ground in a recessedposition so that the top thereof is substantially flush with the groundsurface. Preferably, stake 14 is embedded within a block of concrete 15as is shown in Fig. 2, to prevent it from working loose, and the top ofthe block is provided with an enlarged pocket or recess 16 surroundingthe top of `the stake. When the base is not in use, a cover member maybe placed over recess 16. Stake 14 is also preferably rectangular, orotherwise non-circular in cross section, so that it is held firmlyagainst rotation within block 15;`

Fastened to the bottom of base` 10 is a supporting frame 18 having acentral receptacle 19 depending therefrom for engagement with stake 14.Frame 18 is a cruciform structure, as illustrated, having pairs of arms20 and 21 extending at right angles toward the side edges of base 10.Frame 18 and receptacle 19 are preferably formed as an integral castingof lightweight material. Near the end of each of the arms 20 and 21 is atransversely extending slot 22 lying in the plane of the arm and adaptedto receive the base straps 12. As is best seen in Figs. 2 and 4, thestraps 12 are conveniently threaded upwardly through one of the slots22, passed along the top of frame V18 beneath the base cover 11, andextended downwardly through the opposite slot. The free end of strap 12is then passed through a buckle 23 attached to the other-end of thestrap and tightened so as to draw arms 20 and 21 tightly up against thebottom of base 10.

While base 1th is thus secured rmly on frame 18, it is still possiblefor the frame to shift a slight amount relative to the base if anysliding movement of straps 12 through slots 22 takes place. To preventsuch action, We provide friction means for engaging straps 12 in theform of ribs 24 which are formed on the ends of arms 20 and 21 extendingparallel to slots 22, and projecting downwardly from the bottom surfaceof the arms. In passing over the ribs 24, straps 12 arebent sharply sothat the ribs bear tightly against the surface of the straps infrictional engagement. It should also be noted as seen in Fig. 2, thatarms 20 and 21 have a slight upwardly convex curvature so as to providean arched support for base 10. While the conventional base `10 isinitially lled in such a manner as to have a crown thereon, the archedshape of frame 18 aids in maintaining this shape during the life of thebase.

The receptacle 19 depending from frame 18 is of rectanglular shape andis formed with a central socket 25 having a downwardly facing open end.As is best seen in Fig. 3, the stake 14 is provided with an enlargedrectangular head 26 which is adapted to lit slidably within socket 25.Once head 26 is seated within socket 25, any lateral displacement ofbase 10 is, of course, prevented. However, it is still possible todisplace base 10 upwardly, and to prevent such movement we providelatching means cooperatively mounted on receptacle 19 and head 26 Oneend wall of receptacle 19 is slotted` to provide an elongated opening 28which extends vertically from the bottom of the receptacle along most ofthe depth of socket 2S. A pawl 29 is pivotally mounted in opening 28 bymeans of an upper transversely extending pivot pin 30, and carries onthe lower free end an inwardly facing tooth 31. On the end surface ofhead 26 facing pawl 29, is a ratchet surface 32 comprising a series ofangularly cut serrations or teeth which are adapted to engage with tooth31. A spring means 34 is mounted on the outside of receptacle 19 to urgepawl 29 inwardly in a direction to engage with ratchet surface 32.Preferably, spring 34 is in the form of a cantilever arm overlying pawl29 and having an upper T-shaped head secured to receptacle 19 byfastening screws 35.

It is necessary to limit the inward movement of pawl 29 so that it willnot swing into socket 25 and interfere with the entrance of head 26therein. To this end, ears 36 are extended outwardly from the lower endof pawl 29 and are adapted to seat within recessed pockets 37 formed inthe side walls of opening 23 when the pawl is in a substantiallyvertical position. It is also desirable to limit the outward swingingmovement of pawl 29 in order that spring 34 will not be over tensionedand become permanently distorted. As is seen in Fig. 3, the lower end ofpawl 29 carries an upwardly faced stop shoulder 38 on the outer surfacethereof. Shoulder 38 is adjacent to the tip end of spring 34 and isnormally spaced a short distance therefrom when pawl 2,9 is hangingvertically. As pawl 29 is swung outwardly, as shown in phantom outline,shoulder 38 comes into contact with the end of spring 3d and limitsfurther pivotal movement.

Because of the force exerted by spring 34 pawl 29 is normally urgedinwardly so that tooth 31 projects inwardly and is adapted to engageratchet surface 32. The purpose of ratchet surface 32 is to compensatefor differences in Vertical adjustment of different stakes 14 so thatone tooth of the ratchet surface will always be in substantial registerwith pawl tooth 31 when the base l@ has been seated firmly against thesupporting ground surface. In order that head 26 may pass by pawl tooth31 upon entering socket 25 the lower surface of the pawl tooth istapered upwardly so that the pawl is cammcd outwardly by the leadingedge of the head. To permit tooth 31 to pass over the succeeding teethof surface 32 these teeth are correspondingly tapered to intermittentlycam the pawl outwardly. The upper surface of tooth 31 and the lowersurfaces of the ratchet teeth 52. lie parallel to each other andperpendicular to the direction of movement so that when head 25 hasentered the proper distance into socket 25 the pawl and ratchet surfaceare positively interlocked and base can not be lifted. Thus, it can beappreciated that no matter how rugged is the treatment received by baseitl during its use, it is positively held against any movement.

When the base itl has been positioned as described, it is no longerpossible to reach the latching means to release them for removing thebase. Therefore, we provide control means extending outwardly from thelatching means to a position beyond the edge of base liti. Typically,these control means take the form of a pull cord 40 connected to thefree end of pawl 29 and extending outwardly through a guide ill formedon the side of the adjacent frame arm Ztl. At the outer end of cord 40 apull ring 42 may be provided to facilitate the use of the cord. As isseen in Fig. 1, normally only the small ring 4@ extends outwardly frombeneath the base llt) so that it does not interfere with the use of thebase.

While we have thus shown and described a preferred embodiment ofl ourinvention, it is to be understood that modifications of design andconstruction will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, wedo not wish to be restricted except as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

l. A base anchoring device for use with a base having securing strapsthereon comprising: a support frame having spaced slots arranged inperpendicularly disposed pairs to receive the securing straps of thebase therethrough for attaching said base thereon; a receptacledepending from said frame and having a downwardly facing rectangularsocket therein; a stake adapted to be embedded in the ground and havinga rectangular head formed for sliding engagement within said socket,said head having a ratchet surface therealong; a spring loaded pawlmounted on said receptacle and disposed to springingly engage with saidratchet surface upon said head slidably entering said socket and holdingsaid base against upward movement until said pawl is released; and apull cord connected to said pawl and extending outwardly from beneaththe edge of said base for releasing said pawl.

2. A base anchoring device for use with a base having securing strapsthereon comprising: a support frame having spaced slots arranged inperpendicularly disposed pairs to receive the securing straps of thebase therethrough for attaching said base thereon; a receptacledepending from the center of said frame and having a downwardly facingrectangular socket therein, and a slot extending along one side thereof;a stake adapted to be embedded in the ground and having a rectangularhead formed for sliding engagement within said socket, said head havinga ratchet surface facing said receptacle slot; a pawl pivotally mountedin said receptacle slot for engagement with said ratchet surface; aspring mounted on said receptacle outwardly of said pawl and adapted tourge said pawl into engagement with said ratchet surface to hold saidbase against upward movement; and a pull cord connected to said pawl andextending outwardly from beneath the edge of said base for releasingsaid pawl.

3. A base anchoring device for use with a base having securing strapsthereon comprising: a support frame having spaced slots arranged inperpendicularly disposed pairs to receive the securing straps of thebase therethrough for attaching said base thereon; a receptacledepending from the center of said frame and having a downwardly facingrectangular socket therein, and a slot extending along one side thereof;a stake adapted to be embedded in the ground and having a rectangularhead formed for sliding engagement within said socket, said head havinga ratchet surface facing said receptacle slot; a pawl pivotally mountedin said receptacle slot for engagement with said ratchet surface andhaving an outer shoulder on the free end thereof facing toward thepivoted end; a cantilever spring mounted on said receptacle and havingthe free end thereof overhanging said pawl and extending toward saidshoulder with the tip thereof normally spaced from said shoulder andadapted to bear thereagainst to limit the outward pivotal movement ofsaid pawl; and a pull cord connected to said pawl and extendingoutwardly from beneath the edge of said base for releasing said pawl.

4. A base anchoring device for use with a base having securing strapsthereon comprising: a support frame having spaced slots arranged inperpendicularly disposed pairs and lying in the plane of said frame toreceive the securing straps of the base therethrough for attaching saidbase thereon, said frame having a rib depending from the surface thereofadjacent each of said slots to bind frictionally on said straps to holdsaid base against sliding on said frame; a receptacle depending from thecenter of said frame and having a downwardly facing rectangular sockettherein, and a slot extending along one side thereof; a stake adapted tobe embedded in the ground and having a rectangular head formed forsliding engagement within said socket, said head having a ratchetsurface facing said receptacle slot; a pawl pivotally mounted in saidreceptacle slot for engagement with said ratchet surface and having anouter shoulder on the free end thereof facing toward the pivoted end; aspring mounted on said receptacle outwardly of said pawl and adapted tourge said pawl into engagement with said ratchet surface to hold saidbase against upward movement; and a pull cord connected to said pawl andextending outwardly from beneath the edge of said base for releasingsaid pawl.

5. A base anchoring device for use with a base having securing strapsthereon comprising: a support frame of arched cruciform shape havingslots at the ends thereof lying in the plane of said frame to receivethe securing straps of the base therethrough for attaching said basethereon, said frame having a rim depending from the surface thereofoutwardly from each of said slots to bind frictionally on said straps tohold said base against sliding on said frame; a receptacle dependingfrom the center of said frame and having a downwardly facing rectangularsocket therein, and a slot extending along one side thereof; a stakeadapted to be embedded in the ground and having a rectangular headformed for sliding engagement 'within said socket, a ratchet formed onthe side of said head and a spring loaded pawl pivotally mounted on saidreceptacle for engagement therewith, said pawl and ratchet beingdisposed to allow said head to slidably enter said receptaclerandthereafter holding said base against upward movement until said pawl ismanually released, said pawl having an outer shoulder on the free endthereof facing towards the pivoted end; a cantilever spring mounted onsaid receptacle and having the free end thereof overhanging said pawland extending toward said shoulder with the tip thereof normally spacedfrom said shoulder and adapted to bear thereagainst to limit the outwardpivotal movement of said pawl; and a pull cord connected to said pawland extending outwardly fron beneath the edge of-said base for releasingsaid paw 6. A base anchoring device for a base having securing strapscomprising: a support frame of substantially cruciform shape havingslotted end portions adapted to receive the securing straps of the basetherethrough for attaching said base thereon, and having a lower surfaceadapted to seat downwardly against the ground surface; a receptacledepending from said frame and having a downwardly facing polygonalsocket therein; a stake adapted to be embedded in the ground and havinga head formed for sliding engagement within said socket; spring urgedlatching means mounted on said head and receptacle and disposed topermit said head to enter said receptacle and engage therewith atdifferent relative longitudinal positions; and means extendingexternally for releasing said latching means.

7. A base anchoring device for a base having securing straps comprising:a support frame having spaced slots arranged in perpendicularly disposedpairs and lying in the plane of said frame to receive the securingstraps of the base therethrough for attaching said base thereon,

said frame having a rib raised from the surface thereof adjacent each ofsaid slots to bind frictionally on said straps to hold said base fromsliding on said frame; a receptacle depending from said frame and havinga downwardly facing polygonal socket therein; a stake adapted to beembedded in the ground and having a head formed for sliding engagementWithin said socket; spring urged latching means mounted on said head andreceptacle and disposed to permit said head to enter said receptacle andengage therewith at different relative longitudinal positions; and meansextending externally for releasing said latching means.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 75,076 Taylor Mar. 3, 1868 2,259,610 Bryson Oct. 21, 1941 202,624,580 Corbett Jan. 6, 1953

